Thanks to Rob Still for sharing this post with TWC today – originally published at: http://www.robstill.com/the-best-worship-leading-advice-i-ever-received/
The post is about soul care and perspective for worship folks, but it could apply to anybody.
Worship ministry comes with a multitude of unique challenges and pressure to perform well. Just some of these are:
- Choose songs people can and will sing
- Keep the band together and playing in tune
- Overcome technical or even relational problems along the way
- Coach your team to see themselves as leaders, not sidemen doing a gig. Everyone serving on the team is a leader of worship – that includes musicians, singers, and technicians, not just the “worship leader”.
- And many more …
When difficulties and disappointment arise, it can be easy to lose perspective.
Some time ago I had an amazing conversation with a fairly well known worship leader. He had fallen, had an affair and lost his marriage.
Disgraced, he was out of ministry. He gave me some advice I’ve never forgotten.
“every time you lead worship, remember it may be the last time you ever get to do this.”
Now there’s some perspective for you.
If this was true, what would you do differently ? What story would you want people to remember?
What legacy would you want to leave?
The “No Regrets” Mindset To Have Every Time You Lead Worship
1. Bring Your “A” Game. Try to bring your “A” game every time. Never just go through the motions. Never indulge in a poor attitude, sloppy preparation, or insensitive communication.
Do you try to bring your “A” game every time you lead?
2. Lead with Passion. Zeal for the house of the Lord and passion for the presence of God should consume us!
Zeal for your house consumes me, Psalm 69:9
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Romans 12:11
Bring it!
3. Create a positive experience for everyone.
Think long term. Worship ministry is a marathon, not a sprint. Short term thinking leads us to focus inwardly, take short-cuts, compromise our values, and in general make decisions we later regret.
Here’s some character qualities to exhibit:
- Model grace
- Show mercy
- Be tenderhearted
- Overlook offenses
- Practice forgiveness when mistreated or misunderstood
4. Genuinely appreciate the opportunity. Count your blessings. It is a great honor and privilege to lead worship, not a right, and certainly not to be taken for granted.
Conclusion:
Tomorrow is not promised. Things can change radically in a moment, an instant. You might get hit by a bus, or get thrown under the bus. Jesus might return, or you might suddenly lose the ability to play.
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:13-15
Remember this principle:
“every time you lead worship, remember it may be the last time you ever get to do this.”
Best advice I ever got.
Question: What is some good advice you’ve been given? Anything you would add ?
Rob Still is a worship leader, artisan, instructor and blogger in Nashville TN. He teaches at conferences and extensively on the mission field in eastern Europe – and blogs at RobStill.com.